Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 July 2021
54. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport if there will be an impact on insurance policies for persons that have had their driving licence expiry date extended due to Covid-19; if the updated expiry date will be recognised abroad if attempting to rent a car if the licence appears to be invalid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38222/21]
View answerIreland received authorisation from the EU to apply an extension of four months to the relevant period of 1 September 2020 to 30 June 2021. This means that driving licences that expire between 1 July and 31 October 2021 have also been extended for an additional 10 months.
The current extension to the validity of driving licences is granted under EU Regulation 2021/267 and is recognised by all EU Member States. A copy of the Regulation can be found on the European Union Law website: eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32021R0267&qid=1625569643896.
Although a new licence will not be issued with the extended expiry date, a driver may request a letter of entitlement from the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) when driving abroad. A letter of entitlement is a copy of the driver record and will show the extended expiry date of a person's licence. Further information can be found on the National Driver Licence Service website: www.ndls.ie/about/order-my-driver-statement.html.
Insurance Ireland, the body representing the insurance industry, has indicated that it will recognise the extensions provided. However, each customer should contact their insurer or broker for further details.
Car hire companies are private companies and the Government has no say in leasing policies of such companies here or abroad.
